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■IB   ADDRESS 


J^is  12xcellenc2 


WILLIAM   CLAFLIN, 


TO  THE   TWO   BRANCHES 


gegislatupo  of  gamchugette, 


JAJ^UARY  6,  1870. 


BOSTON: 

WRIGHT    &    POTTER,    STATE    PRINTERS, 
79  Milk  Stkekt  (Corner  of  Fbubral). 

1870. 


(->?/^ 


-'-^€\S/^f(? 


UCSB  LIBRARv 


SENATE No.  1. 

ADDRESS 

or 

pis  €udhnt^ 

"WILLIAM  CLAFLIlSr, 

•    TO   THE   TWO   BRANCHES 


LEGISLATURE   OF   MASSACHUSETTS, 


Januaby  8,  1870. 


BOSTON: 

WRIGHT    &   POTTER,   STATE   PRINTERS. 

79  Milk  Street  (Corner  of  Federal). 

1870. 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Arcinive 

in  2007  witii  funding  from 

IVIicrosoft  Corporation 


http://www.archive.org/details/addressliisexcellOOclafiala 


ADDRESS. 


Gentlemen  of  tlie  Senate,  and  of 

the  House  of  Itepresentatives : 

Assembled  as  representatives  of  the  people,  and 
acting  in  their  name,  let  us  make  our  heartfelt  ac- 
knowledgments to  the  Author  of  all  good,  for  the 
signal  blessings  so  fully  bestowed  upon  our  be- 
loved Commonwealth  in  the  past,  and  invoke  His 
counsel  and  wisdom  for  our  guidance  in  the  future. 

Another  year  of  unusual  health  and  abundant 
prosperity  has  been  granted  us.  The  labors  of  the 
agriculturist  have  been  rewarded  by  plentiful  har- 
vests; mercantile  pursuits  have  been  successful, 
the  mechanic  and  artisan  have  fully  shared  in  the 
general  welfare,  while  the  blessings  of  peace  have 
been  universally  enjoyed  by  the  citizens  of  the 
entire  Kepublic. 


4  GOVERNOR'S  ADDRESS.  [Jan. 

THE   FIN^AN'CES   OP   THE   COMMON'WEALTH. 

A  statement  of  the  public  finances  is  always 
deeply  interesting  to  the  Legislature  and  the 
people.  The  indebtedness  of  the  Commonwealth 
has  steadily  increased  for  ten  years  past,  but  its 
sinking  funds,  established  by  law  for  its  prompt 
redemption,  have  also  accumulated  rapidly.  The 
policy  of  providing  a  fund  for  the  payment  of  a 
debt  before  it  was  issued,  has  been  strictly  ad- 
hered to  for  a  long  time,  and  the  result  shows 
the  wisdom  of  this  course;  for  the  State  has 
always  had  an  enviable  credit  at  home  and 
abroad.  Her  bonds  find  ready  sale  in  Europe, 
and  at  prices  considerably  higher  than  those  of 
any  other  American  securities;  and  here  her 
scrip  is  sought  for  by  all  persons  seeking  places 
for  safe  investments. 

I  find  that  the  funded  debt  of 
the  Commonwealth  is          .        .    |29,737,259  90 
Temporary  loans,         .        .        .        1,086,120  12 
Total  amount  of  debt  January  1, 

1870, $30,823,380  02 

Increase  during  the  year,    .        .        2,087,509  97 
It   should   not   be   forgotten,    in 

this  connection,  that  while  the 


1870.]  SENATE— No.  1.  6 

funded  debt  has  increased,  the 
sinking  funds  established  for 
its  redemption  have  also  in- 
creased in  proportion.  These 
amounted,  on  the  first  of  Jan- 
uary current,  to       .        .         .     111,476,351  27 

And  there  is  cash  on  hand,  ap- 
plicable also  to  the  payment 
of  the  debt,  amounting  to       .         1,054,710  51 

Back  Bay  lands  fund  in  the 
Treasury,  (which  may  be  used 
for  this  purpose,)     .        .        .  236,922  62 

These  sums  deducted  leave  an 
indebtedness  of  the  State,  for 
which  still  further  provision 
is  to  be  made,  of    .        .        .      18,055,395  56 

From  this  last  item,  in  order 
to  understand  the  real  liability 
of  the  State  for  principal  and 
interest,  there  must  be  de- 
ducted the  loan  to  the  Western 
Railroad,  (not  provided  for  in 
the  sinking  funds,)  of    .         .         1,621,232  30 

Loan  to  the  Boston,  Hartford  and 
Erie  Railroad,  (unprovided  for 
in  the  sinking  funds,)      .        .        2,832,154  00 


6  GOVERNOR'S  ADDRESS.  [Jan. 

Loan   to  the  !N^orwich  Railroad, 

(also    unprovided    for    in    the 

sinking  funds,)         .         .         .  $146,864  00 

Loan  to  the  Eastern  Eailroad,   .  125,000  00 


Total,         ....       14,725,250  30 

Which  leaves  to  be  provided  for 
by  the  State,  principal  and  in- 
terest, the  sum  of   .        .        .      13,330,145  26 

There  are  several  other  items 
which  will  ultimately  reduce 
the  debt.  Among  these  may 
be  mentioned  the  receipts  for 
the  Back  Bay  lands,  which 
are  estimated  at       .         .         .         1,500,000  00 

Land    sold   to    the    Boston    and 

Albany  Railroad,      .         .         .  435,000  00 

And  the  balance  of  our  unset- 
tled claims  against  the  United 
States  Government,  which  are 
estimated  at      ...         .  400,000  00 

It  will  be  readily  seen  from  this  statement 
that  the  State  is  obliged  to  pay,  from  current 
revenue  and  taxation,  interest  on  about  $13,- 
500,000.     A  large  portion  of  the  loan  is  issued 


1870.]  SENATE— No.  1.  7 

at  five  per  cent,  interest,  payable  in  gold.  This 
indebtedness  will  be  increased  annually  for  the 
next  four  years,  about  one  million  dollars,  by 
payments  to  the  contractors  for  the  work  on  the 
Hoosac  Tunnel,  under  their  agreement  with  the 
Commonwealth. 

This  amount,  with  that  still  to  be  issued  to  Bos- 
ton, Hartford  and  Erie  Railroad,  will  swell  the 
liabilities  of  the  State  to  thirty-five  millions  of 
dollars.  Although  with  the  large  sinking  funds  in 
the  Treasury  and  the  items  which  by  law  are 
pledged  to  those  funds,  the  debt  is  not  heavy 
when  we  compare  the  present  condition  of  the 
State  with  that  of  a  few  years  since;  still,  with  the 
heavy  taxation  for  national  purposes  necessarily 
following  the  war,  which  is  seriously  felt  by  all, 
the  question  may  be  asked  whether  it  is  wise  for 
the  Legislature  to  increase  its  liabilities  in  aid  of 
new  enterprises. 

Experience  shows  us  that  a  project  once  com- 
menced under  the  patronage  of  the  State  has  to  be 
still  further  sustained,  or  large  losses  are  almost 
sure  to  accrue  to  the  Commonwealth  and  the  other 
parties  interested.  The  Hoosac  Tunnel  and  Troy 
and  Greenfield  Railroad  and  the  Boston,  Hartford 
and    Erie    Railroad,  open  to  the  business  of  the 


8  GOVERNOR'S  ADDRESS.  [Jan. 

Commonwealth,  and  that  of  Boston,  new  sections 
of  country. 

For  the  purpose  of  aiding  the  construction  of 
these  large  works,  the  State,  in  accordance  with 
her  established  policy,  originally  granted  them  the 
use  of  her  credit.  She  has  been  obliged  to  assume 
the  whole  work  on  the  Hoosac  Tunnel  and  the 
Troy  and  Greenfield  Railroad.  It  seems  desirable 
to  await  the  result  of  this  undertaking  before 
entering  upon  any  more  enterprises,  which,  by 
any  possibility,  can  be  thrown  upon  the  Common- 
wealth. 

The  aid  granted  for  these  two  enterprises  will 
amount  to  nearly  fifteen  millions  of  dollars  as  they 
now  stand  when  completed.  Surely  if  we  would 
carefully  guard  the  credit  of  the  State,  and,  I  be- 
lieve, heed  the  wishes  of  our  constituents,  we 
should  hesitate  long  before  we  lend  the  credit  of 
the  Commonwealth  to  any  new  project,  however 
earnestly  it  may  be  pressed  by  its  friends  upon  our 
attention.  "With  the  large  number  of  railroads 
crossing  the  State  in  every  direction,  and  these 
two  main  lines,  in  progress,  soon  to  reach  the 
Hudson  River,  no  great  suffering  can  be  experi- 
enced by  deferring  the  commencement  of  new 
railroads   demanding  the  assistance  of  the  State, 


1870.]  SENATE— No.  1.  9 

until  it  shall  be  evident  that  the  public  necessity 
calls  for  them. 

These  remarks  by  no  means  apply  to  legislation 
which  fosters  private  enterprises,  for  it  is  always 
a  wise  policy,  and  especially  so  at  the  present 
time,  to  encourage  by  liberal  franchise  such  invest- 
ment of  private  capital,  by  our  own  citizens  and 
others,  as  will  tend  to  develop  the  resources  or 
promote  the  commerce  of  the  Commonwealth. 

The  ordinary  expenses  of  the  State 

for  the  year  ensuing  are  estimated 

at 15,500,000 

And  the  ordinary  receipts  from   all 

sources,  other  than  by  taxation,  are 

estimated  at   .         .         .         .         .        3,000,000 

If  no  extraordinary  grants  are  made,  a  tax  of  only 
$2,500,000  will  be  necessary,  unless  further  pro- 
vision is  made  for  increasing  the  ordinary  revenue. 
There  are  new  sources  of  wealth  constantly  de- 
veloping, which,  while  sharing  the  benefits  of  gov- 
ernment, do  not  share  its  burdens.  Real  estate 
and  corporate  property  are  taxed  their  full  share, 
at  all  times.  If  other  property  is  overlooked 
or  allowed  to  bear  a  less  percentage  of  taxation, 


10  GOVERNOR'S  ADDRESS.  [Jan. 

the  balance  must  be  borne  by  those  estates  which 
are  thereby  assessed  for  more  than  their  fair  pro- 
portion. This  subject  should  be  carefully  examined 
by  the  Legislature  before  the  tax  is  assessed. 

THE   HOOSAC   TUKNEL. 

A  little  more  than  a  year  ago  the  work  on  the 
Hoosac  Tunnel  was  contracted  to  Messrs.  "W.  &  F. 
Shanly,  of  Montreal,  gentlemen  of  high  standing 
and  great  experience  on  public  works  of  a  similar 
character.  They  were  not  able  to  complete  their 
arrangements  until  last  April,  when  they  took  pos- 
session of  the  works  and  commenced  operations. 
As  nothing  had  been  done  for  six  months  previous, 
much  of  the  machinery  needed  repairs;  the  cen- 
tral shaft  was  filled  with  water,  and  the  new 
machinery  there  was  quite  incomplete.  Most  of  the 
trained  workmen  previously  employed  had  been 
dispersed  during  the  period  of  suspension.  Owing 
to  these  causes,  the  progress  of  the  first  few 
months  was  below  the  average  which  has  been 
more  recently  attained. 

Under  these  circumstances,  the  Council  did  not 
think  it  just  to  the  contractors  to  insist  upon  the 
rate  of  progress  stipulated,  until  the  first  of  July 
last,  when  an  Order  was  passed  requiring  them  to 


1870.]  SENATE— No.  1.  11 

perform  the  prescribed  amount  of  work  monthly. 
In  July  and  August  their  estimates  reached  about 
three-quarters,  and  in  September,  five-sixths,  of 
the  required  amount.  The  storm  of  October  4th 
stopped  the  work  at  all  points,  for  a  few  days.  At 
the  east  end  the  work  was  but  little  injured,  and 
there  was  but  a  short  delay  in  the  usual  progress 
at  the  main  points.  At  the  west  end,  the  damage 
was  more  serious,  owing  to  the  breaking  away  of 
the  embankment  of  a  brook  by  the  side  of  the  brick 
arch.  The  tunnel  was  filled  with  water,  which 
was  dammed  up  by  the  earth,  stones  and  trees 
brought  down  by  the  torrent.  A  delay  of  several 
weeks  occurred  before  the  water  could  be  drained 
from  the  tunnel  sufliciently  to  permit  the  resump- 
tion of  the  work.  But  for  this  interruption  it  is 
believed  that  the  contractors  would  have  made  the 
required  progress  in  October.  The  Messrs.  Shanly 
have  used  as  much  diligence,  perhaps,  as  could  be 
expected  from  contractors,  though  not  so  much  as 
was  desired  on  the  part  of  the  authorities  having 
the  work  in  charge.  They  have  constantly  pressed 
upon  the  contractors  the  importance  of  greater 
activity,  and  the  necessity  of  using  the  best  means 
to  facilitate  the  work.  Recently,  more  energy 
has     been     shown,    and     at     certain    points   the 


12  GOVERNOR'S  ADDRESS.  [Jan. 

work  has  advanced  at  the  required  rate  for 
the  last  two  months.  Still,  the  amount  of  work 
for  the  past  six  months  will  fall  short,  according 
to  the  contract,  very  considerably.  I  am  assured, 
however,  that  the  contractors  will  soon  make  up 
the  deficiency,  as  it  is  manifestly  for  their  in- 
terest to  do ;  and  as  I  am  happy  to  say,  from  the 
last  two  months'  experience,  they  will  evidently 
be  able  to  accomplish.  They  have  thus  far  ful- 
filled the  expectations  of  the  authorities  as  to 
the  quality  of  the  work.  There  has  been 
no  disposition  to  evade  responsibility,  but  they 
have  sometimes  chosen  a  cheaper  process  when 
a  more  costly  one  would  have  enabled  them  to 
advance  more  rapidly.  Undoubtedly  they  can 
save  money  by  working  at  a  moderate  rate, 
and  the  machinery  used  has  attained  such  per- 
fection that  they  can  finish  the  work  easily, 
within  the  time  specified  in  the  contract.  An 
earlier  completion  of  this  great  work  is  of  vast 
importance  to  the  State.  Every  year's  delay  results 
in  a  heavy  loss  of  interest  directly,  and  in  a  great 
loss  of  profitable  business  which  will  find  its  way 
inevitably  to  the  seaboard  and  to  a  large  portion 
of  the  State,  over  this  route. 


1870.]  SENATE— No.  1.  13 

I  would  suggest  that  some  provision  should  be 
made  whereby  the  contractors  may  receive  addi- 
tional compensation  for  an  earlier  completion  of 
the  work  than  the  contract  requires.  A  moderate 
sum  would  be  of  much  importance  to  them,  and 
at  the  same  time  the  benefit  to  the  State  would  be 
great,  in  the  saving  of  interest,  and  in  the  ad- 
vantages which  would  accrue  to  the  public  from 
an  earlier  opening  of  the  route.  I  can  safely  say 
that  there  is  no  longer  any  doubt  of  the  final 
completion  of  the  Tunnel,  in  the  minds  of  the 
authorities  having  this  work  in  charge,  or  of 
those  who  have  been  conversant  with  it  from  the 
beginning,  but  have  had  no  direct  connection 
with  it. 

The  disastrous  flood  in  the  Deerfield  River, 
caused  by  the  late  freshet,  occasioned  much 
damage  to  the  railroad.  By  request  of  the  Coun- 
cil, Mr.  Appleton,  one  of  the  Railroad  Commis- 
sioners, and  Mr.  Field,  the  engineer  under  whose 
charge  the  road  was  constructed,  accompanied  by 
the  committee  on  the  Hoosac  Tunnel,  made  a  sur- 
vey of  the  railroad  from  Greenfield  to  the  east  end 
of  the  Tunnel.  They  have  made  an  estimate  of  the 
amount  necessary  to  repair  the  damage,  ordinary 
and  extraordinary,  which  was  caused  by  the  freshet. 


14  GOVERNOR'S  ADDRESS.  [Jan. 

The  road  is  in  the  hands  of  the  lessees,  who,  until 
recently,  have  declined  to  make  the  repairs,  unless 
large  portion  of  the  expense  should  be  assumed  a 
by  the  State.  As  there  is  no  one  authorized  to 
make  such  an  expenditure,  the  whole  matter 
must  come  before  you  for  action.  I  would  sug- 
gest that  the  subject  receive  your  attention  at 
as  early  a  day  as  possible,  for  an  energetic, 
thriving  and  enterprising  community,  who  were 
just  beginning  to  appreciate  the  facilities  for  do- 
ing business  enjoyed  by  most  of  the  other  parts 
of  the  State,  are,  by  this  calamity,  suddenly 
thrown  into  a  condition  worse  than  that  which 
existed  before  the  construction  of  the  railroad. 
Up  to  January  1,  the  Messrs.  Shanly  had  nearly 
accomplished  work  to  the  amount  of  the  guaran- 
ty-fund of  1500,000,  and  they  will  therefore  be 
entitled  to  receive  cash  payments  in  accordance 
with  their  contract,  for  the  greater  part  of  the 
January  work,  and  for  all  that  they  shall  sub- 
sequently perform. 

BOSTON,   HARTFORD   AND   ERIE   RAILROAD. 

By  Act  of  the  Legislature  (chap.  450,  Acts  of 
1869,)  the  Governor  and  Council  were  authorized 
to  issue  in  aid  of  the  Boston,  Hartford  and  Erie 


1870.]  SENATE— No.  1.  16 

Railroad  Company,  five  millions  of  dollars,  includ- 
ing the  amount  issued  up  to  the  time  of  the  passage 
of  the  Act. 

The  company  having  complied  with  the  condi- 
tions of  the  law  in  all  respects,  scrip  has  been 
issued  in  its  behalf  from  time  to  time,  to  a  sum 
amounting,  on  the  first  of  January  current,  to 
13,392,840. 

By  the  requirements  of  the  Act  the  company 
were  to  give  the  State  as  security:  First,  A  second 
mortgage  on  all  of  the  property  purchased  of  the 
Boston  Wharf  Company  by  the  Kailroad  Company. 
Second,  The  company  were  to  place  in  the  hands 
of  the  Treasurer  of  the  Commonwealth,  one  thou- 
sand dollars  of  the  bonds  of  the  mortgage  to  R. 
H.  Berdell  and  others,  as  trustees,  for  every  one 
thousand  dollars  of  scrip  received  from  the  State. 
Third,  To  pay  into  the  Treasury  such  sums  as  the 
Governor  and  Council  might  direct  for  a  sinking 
fund,  to  be  applied  to  the  redemption  of  the  scrip 
issued  by  the  State. 

Thus  far  the  company  have  promptly  complied 
with  the  conditions  imposed  upon  them  by  the 
Legislature,  and  the  amount  paid  into  the  sinking 
fund,  under  this  arrangement,  on  the  first  of  Jan- 
uary, was  $560,686. 


16  GOVERNOR'S  ADDRESS.  [Jan. 

It  will  be  also  remembered,  that  one  million 
dollars  of  the  five  is  to  be  expended  in  improving 
the  lands  at  South  Boston,  on  which  the  State  has 
a  mortgage.  It  should  be  stated  that  the  scrip 
issued  to  this  corporation  has  thirty  years  to  run, 
becoming  due  in  the  year  1900.  If  the  company 
pay  the  interest  on  the  scrip  issued,  according 
to  their  agreement  with  the  Commonwealth,  the 
amount  paid  into  the  sinking  fund  for  the  re- 
demption of  these  bonds .  will  accumulate  suffi- 
ciently to  redeem  them  at  maturity  without  farther 
payment  by  the  company.  This  calculation  is 
based  upon  the  expectation  that  the  sinking  fund 
will  be  loaned  at  six  per  cent.,  as  has  been  done 
hitherto,  by  the  State,  with  similar  funds. 

The  work  on  the  road  has  been  pushed  with 
great  energy  by  the  contractors,  who  are  gentle- 
men of  large  personal  experience,  and  whose  pro- 
fessional reputations  are  of  the  highest  order. 
They  have  performed  their  work  to  the  satisfaction 
of  E.  S.  Philbrick,  Esq.,  the  engineer  employed  by 
the  Council,  and  his  opinion  in  such  matters  is 
entitled  to  full  confidence.  It  is  the  belief  of 
those  in  charge  of  the  work  that  it  will  be  com- 
pleted to  the  Hudson  River  and  ready  for  busi- 
ness by  next  autumn,  and  possibly  sooner. 


1870.]  SENATE— No.  1.  IT 

THE  SOUTH  BOSTON  FLATS. 

Much  attention  has  been  given  by  your  prede- 
cessors to  the  subject  of  improving  the  South 
Boston  Flats.  Various  schemes  for  filling  them 
have  been  suggested,  considered  and  abandoned. 
Propositions  for  their  purchase  have  been  made 
by  corporations  and  individuals,  to  those  having 
them  in  charge;  but  in  all  cases  there  was  so 
little  hope  that  the  Commonwealth  would  ever 
realize  any  considerable  amount  from  the  sale,  that 
they  have  been  rejected. 

The  controversy  with  the  Boston  Wharf  Com- 
pany stood  in  the  way  of  any  improvement,  and 
there  seemed  to  be  no  prospect  of  its  immediate 
settlement.  Finally  that  portion  in  dispute  passed 
into  the  hands  of  the  Boston,  Hartford  and  Erie 
Railroad,  and  soon  after,  the  corporation  began  a 
negotiation  with  the  State  authorities,  for  a  settle- 
ment of  all  matters  in  dispute  between  them  and 
the  Commonwealth.  Early  in  the  summer  a  con- 
tract was  concluded,  by  which  that  corporation 
acquires  a  clear  title  from  the  State  to  about  forty- 
four  acres  of  flats,  lying  along  Fort  Channel,  north 
of  the  Boston  Wharf  Company. 

Most  of   this    territory  was    in    dispute   occa- 


18  GOVERNOR'S  ADDRESS.  [Jan. 

sioned  by  the  grant  made  to  that  Company,  in 
1855,  and  subsequently  annulled  by  the  Legisla- 
ture of  1867.  From  this  property  the  Common- 
wealth will  realize  an  income  on  $545,505  in  three 
years  from  the  first   day  of  July  last. 

The  Corporation  has  already  commenced  filling 
the  flats,  using  for  that  purpose,  as  stipulated  in 
the  contract,  material  dredged  from  the  shoals  near 
the  flats;  thus  accomplishing  a  most  important 
work  for  the  benefit  of  the  harbor — an  object  never 
lost  sight  of  by  the  commissioners  having  charge 
of  these  matters. 

At  last  this  long  contemplated  improvement 
of  such  moment  to  Boston  and  the  Common- 
wealth, in  the  future,  is  fairly  inaugurated,  and 
with  every  prospect  of  its  final  and  satisfactory 
completion.  DSTegotiations  which  had  been  pending 
for  several  months  with  the  Boston  and  Albany 
Railroad,  have  resulted  in  a  sale  to  that  corpora- 
tion of  fifty  acres  of  the  flats,  lying  east  of  those 
sold  to  the  Boston,  Hartford  and  Erie  Railroad. 
The  amount  realized  is  $435,000,  payable  in  three 
years  from  the  first  day  of  October  last. 

In  both  instances  the  sea-walls  in  front  of  the 
land  sold  are  to  be  built  by  the  corporations  pur- 
chasing, under  the  direction  of  the  Board  of  Har- 


1870.]  SENATE— No.  1.  10 

bor  Commissioners,  and  in  accordance  with  plans 
recommended  by  a  Board  of  Engineers,  of  the 
highest  reputation,  after  the  most  careful  and 
mature  consideration. 

The  filling  is  also  to  be  done  under  the  direction 
of  the  Harbor  Commissioners,  so  that  it  would 
seem  that  every  necessary  precaution  had  been 
taken  to  have  the  work  done  in  the  most  substan- 
tial manner.  Thus  within  three  years  the  Treas- 
ury of  the  State  will  be  in  receipt  of  income,  from 
the  sale  of  less  than  a  tenth  part  of  these  flats,  on 
nearly  one  millioii  dollars.  While  this  seems  to  be 
a  large  sum  for  a  small  portion  of  this  property, 
hitherto  considered  of  doubtful  value  by  most  per- 
sons, and  entirely  worthless  by  not  a  few,  it  is  be- 
lieved, by  those  having  the  disposal  of  it,  to  be  far 
less  than  its  real  value,  and  that  the  corporations 
purchasing  will,  in  the  end,  realize  a  large  profit  if 
they  sell  it  for  ordinary  uses.  In  justification  of 
this  sale  it  may  be  stated  that  the  immediate  com- 
mencement of  the  enterprise  was  of  the  first  im- 
portance to  the  public,  and  especially  if  that  com- 
mencement should  be  made  by  these  parties  who 
need  ample  accommodation  for  their  future  busi- 
ness, in  which  the  people  of  the  State  have  such  a 
deep   interest.      That    these   corporations    should 


20  GOVERNOR'S  ADDRESS.  [Jan. 

have  an  abundance  of  room  near  the  great  centres 
of  trade  is  apparent  to  all ;  and,  while  the  Treasury 
of  the  State  will  be  a  large  gainer  by  the  improve- 
ment of  these  flats,  it  is  certain  that  the  indirect 
benefit  to  the  people  of  the  city  and  State  will  be 
incalculable.  It  is  an  immense  undertaking — larger 
than  anything  of  the  kind  ever  attempted  by  the 
people  of  this  country,  but  one  which  the  enter- 
prise and  energy  of  the  Commonwealth  will  un- 
doubtedly bring  to  a  successful  issue.  It  will  be 
remembered  that  the  territory  intended  to  be  filled 
is  larger  than  the  original  size  of  Boston  and 
nearly  half  its  present  area. 

In  order  to  remove  all  objections  that  might  be 
raised  to  the  Commonwealth's  title  to  the  flats  in 
South  Boston,  the  Harbor  Commissioners  were 
authorized  by  the  last  Legislature  (chap.  446,  Acts 
of  1869,)  to  purchase  from  the  shore  owners  any 
lands  or  flats  lying  westerly  of  E  Street  extended. 
Contracts  have  been  made  with  nearly  all  the 
owners  for  their  lands  and  riparian  rights,  by  which 
the  Commonwealth  acquires  nearly  two  million  feet 
of  land  for  something  less  than  two  hundred  and 
fifty  thousand  dollars.  The  Commissioners  are  of 
the  opinion  that  ultimately  no  loss  will  be  sustained 


1870.]  SENATE— No.  1.  21 

by  the  Commonwealth  from  this  purchase,  while 
all  cause  of  litigation  will  be  removed. 

It  has  been  the  effort  of  the  Commissioners — in 
which  they  have  been  cordially  sustained  by  the 
Executive  Council — to  remove  not  only  every  legal 
objection  which  might  be  presented  to  the  State's 
title  in  these  flats,  but  also  every  claim  which  had 
in  it  a  shadow  of  equity,  so  that  there  might  be  no 
just  ground  of  complaint  by  any  one  hereafter. 
They  believed  it  altogether  more  important  to 
the  State  and  the  city  of  Boston  to  bring  this 
large  property  into  immediate  preparation  for  the 
valuable  uses  to  which  it  is,  in  the  future,  to  be 
applied,  than  to  save  possibly  a  few  thousand 
dollars  after  the  long  delays  and  heavy  expenses, 
which  are  sure  to  follow  litigation  in  such  cases. 

THE   SAVINGS  BANKS. 

The  report  of  the  Commissioner  of  Savings 
Banks  shows  an  increase  of  $17,393,147.89  over 
the  amount  deposited  the  previous  year.  The 
whole  amount  on  deposit  is  now  $112,119,016.64, 
with  a  reserve  in  addition  of  $2,682,591.59. 

These  institutions  are  becoming  still  more  the 
favorite  places  of  deposit,  not  only  for  persons 
of  small  means,  but  also  for  those  seeking  invest- 


22  GOVERNOR'S  ADDRESS.  [Jan. 

ment  for  very  considerable  sums.  The  dividends 
paid  by  them  from  year  to  year  are  large,  show- 
ing that  they  are  managed  with  skill  and  integ- 
rity. The  State  has  always  encouraged  deposits 
in  them  as  furnishing  the  greatest  security  for 
those  persons  having  a  little  money  to  loan,  but 
who  cannot  afford  the  time,  and  have  not  the  proper 
knowledge  to  make  other  investments.  The  pru- 
dent management  of  these  banks  has  met  its 
reward  in  gaining  the  confidence  of  the  public  to 
such  a  degree  that  even  the  capitalists  use  them 
as  places  of  investment.  So  evident  is  it  that  no 
harm  will  come  from  this  increase  of  deposit, 
but  great  benefit,  that  I  again  recommend  the 
increase  of  the  amount  of  deposit  which  may  be 
made  by  any  one  individual  to  five  thousand  dol- 
lars. 

Active  capital,  invested  in  our  own  State,  is  one 
great  need  for  the  increase  of  manufacturing  enter- 
prises. Investments  in  other  States  may  pay 
large  dividends  for  a  time,  but  as  a  rule  they 
are  not  so  safe,  nor  in  the  end  are  they  more 
profitable  to  the  investor  than  those  made  in 
manufacturing  corporations  in  our  own   State. 

A  million  dollars  invested  in  a  manufactory  here 
will  keep  the  people  of  a  large  village  employed, 


1870.]  SENATE— No.  1.  28 

enhance  the  value  of  property  around  it,  and  add 
taxable  property  to  the  Commonwealth. 

The  owners  can  then  oversee  and  direct  their 
corporation  or  company,  and  know  whether  it  is 
carried  on  for  their  benefit  or  for  that  of  some 
intimate  friend  of  the  superintendent,  director  or 
manager. 

Every  facility  should  be  afforded  our  merchants 
and  manufacturers  to  obtain  the  use  of  active 
capital.  Our  national  banking  system  does  not 
allow  an  increase  of  banks  in  this  State,  and  the 
public  have,  therefore,  no  other  resource  left  to 
obtain  loans  but  from  private  banking  houses, 
unless  the  larger  savings  banks  are  opened  to 
them. 

Many  of  these  institutions  now  use  such  portion 
of  their  funds  as  the  law  allows  for  loans  on  per- 
sonal security,  in  discounting  mercantile  paper; 
though  it  is  doubtful  if  they  can  do  so  legally. 
This  has  been  found  not  only  safe  and  profitable, 
but  of  much  service  to  men  engaged  in  manufac- 
turing and  other  business.  There  is  no  good 
reason  why  those  desiring  discounts  should  not 
have  this  access  to  the  large  amounts  of  capital 
placed  in  these  banks.  Very  soon  they  will  absorb 
a  large  portion  of  the  active  capital  of  the  State, 


24  GOVERNOR'S  ADDRESS.  [Jan. 

investment  of  which  elsewhere  will  be  a  serious 
loss  to  the  commercial  community.  I  ask  a  care- 
ful consideration  of  this  whole  subject. 

VALUATION    COMMITTEE. 

By  an  Act  passed  April  10,  1861,  (Acts  1861, 
Chap.  167,)  entitled  "  An  Act  to  secure  a  uniform 
description  and  appraisal  of  the  estates  in  the 
Commonwealth  for  the  purposes  of  taxation,"  it 
was  provided  that  the  Secretary  of  the  Common- 
wealth shall  furnish  yearly  to  the  assessors  of  the 
several  cities  and  towns  suitable  blank-books  for 
their  use,  "  with  uniform  headings  for  a  valuation 
list,"  and  that  the  assessors  shall  deposit  with  the 
Secretary  of  State  every  fifth  and  tenth  year 
of  each  decade,  a  certified  copy,  under  oath,  of  the 
assessors'  books  of  those  years. 

The  object  the  Legislature  had  in  view  in 
making  that  law,  was,  doubtless,  to  furnish  the 
means  for  a  comparison  of  the  valuation  of  the 
several  cities  and  towns  for  those  years  of  the 
decade. 

From  the  returns  thus  made,  the  Legislature 
sitting  in  the  closing  year  of  the  decade  would  be 
enabled  to  make  the  decennial  valuation  without 
delay,  and  thereby  avoid  the  large  expense  of  a 


1870.]  SENATE— No.  1.  26 

valuation  committee  sitting  in  recess.  A  com- 
mittee of  the  Legislature  sitting  during  the  session 
will  have  many  advantages,  which  are  not  available 
to  one  sitting  in  recess,  as  all  parts  of  the  State  are 
fully  represented,  and  the  committee  can  learn  from 
the  members  every  particular  relating  to  estates  in 
the  districts  which  they  represent.  The  business 
will  be  done  promptly,  and  the  members  will  be 
well  informed  of  the  views  of  the  committee,  and 
the  reasons  for  adopting  the  scale  of  valuation  for 
the  property  of  their  districts. 

EDUCATIOTiT. 

The  people  of  the  State  will  ever  feel  a  deep 
interest  in  the  cause  of  education.  It  concerns 
every  citizen;  and  he  should  rejoice  to  share  the 
responsibility  of  the  trust.  In  its  prosperity  is  the 
prosperity  of  the  State. 

If  the  character  of  the  public  instruction  is  high, 
then  will  that  great  multitude  which  go  forth, 
annually,  from  our  public  schools,  to  engage  in  the 
active  duties  of  life,  be  fitted  for  the  demands  made 
upon  them  in  this  stirring  and  progressive  age. 

Every  parent  should  feel  that  in  the  Common 
School  System  he  can  find  that  education  for  his 
child   which  will   fit   him,  not   only   to   discharge 


26  GOVERNOR'S  ADDRESS.  [Jan. 

the  daily  duties  of  life,  but  also  to  enter  into 
the  higher  walks  of  learning,  if  he  desires  to  do  so. 

It  must  not  be  said  of  us,  that  we  are  falling 
behind  other  States  in  our  methods  of  instruction ; 
in  the  adaptation  of  our  buildings,  or  any  other 
means  or  instruments  of  education. 

Though  a  great  advance  has  been  made  in  the 
last  twenty-five  years,  still  there  is  much  room  for 
improvement. 

Our  instructors  must  be  more  liberally  paid,  so 
that  they  may  feel  more  encouragement  to  prepare 
themselves  for  the  duties  of  their  profession.  Let 
them  understand  that  their  efforts  to  become  suc- 
cessful teachers  are  fully  appreciated  and  compen- 
sated by  the  community,  and  then  there  will  be 
no  further  complaint  of  inefficiency  on  their  part. 
The  I^ormal  Schools  are  doing  much  to  elevate 
the  standard  of  instruction,  which  was  the  main 
purpose  of  their  establishment;  but  yet  they  can  do 
very  little  towards  supplying  the  great  number  of 
trained  teachers  that  are  required.  Of  the  seven 
or  eight  thousand  teachers  in  our  public  schools, 
probably  not  over  one  thousand  have  been  trained 
in  the  JS^ormal  Schools.  Several  of  the  cities  and 
some    of   the    towns    have    established    Training 


1870.]  SENATE— No.  1.  ^T 

Schools,  which  are  quite  successful  in  aiding  young 
persons  in  preparing  to  become  teachers. 

A  large  number  of  pupils  leave  the  academies  of  * 
the  State  annually,  who,  for  a  longer  or  shorter 
period,  are  employed  as  teachers  in  our  common 
school^.  They  would  be  much  better  prepared  if, 
before  leaving  school,  they  could  have  a  course  of 
training  in  the  specific  work  of  instruction,  which 
is  really  an  art  to  be  learned. 

The  interests  of  education  would  be  greatly 
promoted  by  a  moderate  appropriation  from  the 
School  Fund  to  those  academies  which  would 
establish  training  classes  under  suitable  instructors, 
and  such  as  have  received  the  approbation  of  the 
Board  of  Education. 

I  find  that  there  are  in  the  State  270,000  persons 
between  the  ages  of  five  and  fifteen  years.  Of  this 
number,  247,000  attend  school  a  part  of  the  year — 
the  average  attendance  in  winter  being  200,000 — 
showing  a  slight  increase  over  former  years. 

The  amount  expended  for  instruction  is  $3,- 
123,886,  an  increase  over  last  year  of  |273,181; 
making  an  average  of  $10.85,  or  an  increase  of 
about  95  cents  over  last  year,  for  each  child 
in  the  State.  'No  better  evidence  can  be  given 
of  the    readiness    of    the    people    to    place    our 


28  GOVERNOR'S  ADDRESS.  [Jan. 

schools  on  the  highest  basis,  than  the  steady 
increase  of  the  grants  for  their  support  from  year 
'  to  year.  The  best  friends  of  education  were  fear- 
ful years  ago,  that  the  largest  amount  had  been 
reached  that  could  be  raised  by  popular  vote,  but 
they  have  been  surprised  by  an  annual  average 
increase  of  nearly  $300,000  for  the  four  or  five 
past  years.  In  addition  to  the  amount  raised  for 
instruction  the  last  year,  there  have  been  expended 
in  the  erection  and  repair  of  school-houses,  $1,295,- 
314.  In  the  year  1845,  my  honored  predecessor, 
Governor  Briggs,  estimated  that  the  State  con- 
tributed for  all  the  purposes  of  public  education, 
about  $1,000,000;  but  the  expenditure  in  the  State 
the  past  year,  for  which  the  people  tax  themselves, 
is  over  $4,400,000.  Surely  we  may  congratulate 
ourselves  that  this  is  not  an  age  of  materialism 
with  us,  when  the  people  so  fully  appreciate  the 
importance  of  cultivating  the  mind. 

^o  parent  is  justified  in  withholding  from  his 
child  the  benefits  which  he  may  receive  from  such 
ample  provision  for  his  education.  The  law  passed 
by  the  Legislature,  at  its  last  session,  abolishing 
the  district  system  in  all  parts  of  the  State,  has 
been  carried  into  effect,  cheerfully,  and  with  the 
best  results. 


1870.]  SENATE— No.  1.  29 

There  may  be  cases  of  hardship  and  inconven- 
ience in  a  few  instances,  but  a  new  order  of  things 
will  soon  be  established,  better  suited  to  the  wants 
of  the  time,  and  more  in  accordance  with  our 
enlightened  system  of  public  instruction. 

PENAL   AKD   REFORMATORY   INSTITUTION'S. 

The  reports  of  the  Warden  and  Inspectors  of 
the  State  Prison,  show  that  the  affairs  of  that 
institution  are  managed  with  such  skill  and  pru- 
dence, that  the  people  of  the  State  are  not  sub- 
jected to  taxation  for  its  support. 

The  number  of  prisoners  is  larger  than  ever 
before,  and  it  has  increased  steadily  the  past  year. 
Intemperance  is  always  a  principal  cause  of  crime, 
filling  all  our  jails  and  houses  of  correction;  and 
any  course  of  public  policy  which  increases  this 
great  evil,  is  followed  by  a  greater  number  of 
commitments. 

The  almost  unrestricted  sale  of  intoxicating 
liquors  for  the  fourteen  months  previous  to  the 
first  of  July  last,  resulted,  as  usual,  in  an  increase 
of  crime,  and  consequently  a  larger  number  of 
prisoners.  The  commitments  have  diminished 
since  October,  indicating  that  the  maximum  has 
been  reached,  for  the  present.     There  has  been  no 


30  GOVERNOR'S  ADDRESS.  [Jan. 

essential  change  in  the  management  of  the  prison 
the  past  year.  The  discipline  has  been  good,  as 
usual,  and  the  health  of  the  prisoners  is  excellent, 
when  we  consider  that  all  imprisonment  is  injuri- 
ous to  health.  The  last  Legislature  provided  for 
the  establishment  of  regular  instruction  in  the 
prison  during  the  winter  months.  The  school  has 
been  in  successful  operation  since  September; 
proving  that  a  large  number  of  the  prisoners 
would  gladly  avail  themselves  of  its  privileges,  if 
they  had  the  opportunity.  It  is  the  duty  and 
interest  of  the  State  to  provide  them  ample  means 
of  instruction.  This  must  be  evident  to  every 
one,  who  considers  that  the  average  age  of  the 
prisoners  is  about  twenty-four  years,  and  that  a 
large  portion  cannot  read  or  write. 

The  prison  is  now  so  nearly  filled,  as  to  cause 
the  officers  in  charge  to  consider  what  necessary 
provision  can  be  made  should  there  be  a  further 
increase  of  inmates.  In  this  connection  it  becomes 
necessary  to  decide  whether  the  present  prison 
shall  be  enlarged,  or  a  new  one  built  in  another 
location. 

It  may  be  found  expedient  for  the  State,  and 
more  in  accordance  with  its  spirit  of  reform,  to 
establish   some   system   of  classification,  whereby 


1870.]  SENATE— No.  1.  31 

those  committing  high  crimes,  and  who  are  hard- 
ened in  vice,  shall  be  separated  from  criminals  who 
are  young  and  inexperienced.  The  purpose  of  a 
young  man  on  his  first  commitment  to  a  prison,  is 
to  reform;  but  too  often  he  finds  himself  placed 
side  by  side  with  the  most  abandoned;  he  is 
looked  upon  with  ungenerous  suspicion  by  his 
former  friends ;  and  after  months  of  imprison- 
ment, when  he  might  have  been  taught  much 
that  is  good,  he  has  learned  only  evil.  He  is 
thus  fully  prepared,  on  his  release,  for  a  career 
of  crime.  If  a  prison  were  established  with 
the  reformation  of  these  offenders  for  its  lead- 
ing object,  many  who  are  now  lost  to  society 
might  be  saved  and  become  useful  and  respectable 
citizens.  Such  an  institution  would  be  an  honor 
to  the  State,  be  in  keeping  with  its  humane  and 
enlightened  spirit,  and  prevent  a  large  amount  of 
crime.     Prevention  is  surely  better  than  cure. 

The  classification  of  prisoners  has  engaged  the 
attention  of  the  humane  and  philanthropic  for  a 
long  time,  and  recently  their  attention  has  been 
called  more  especially  to  the  necessity  of  making 
such  arrangements  in  our  prison  system  as  will 
bring  about  this  most  desirable  result.  The  courts, 
in  passing   sentences,  often   send  criminals   for  a 


32  GOYERNOR'S  ADDRESS.  [Jan. 

longer  period  to  the  house  of  correction  than  they 
would  to  the  State  Prison,  for  the  same  crime; 
showing  that  the  disgrace  of  a  sentence  to  a  prison 
filled  with  old  offenders  is  such  as  induces  a  short- 
ening of  sentences.  Hardened  criminals  under- 
stand this,  and  often  ask  for  commitment  to  the 
State  Prison,  in  order  that  they  may  be  the  sooner 
released,  to  prey  upon  the  community.  Incorrigi- 
ble offenders  should  not  be  allowed  to  teach  the 
young  and  thoughtless  their  ways  and  manner  of 
life.  The  State  is  responsible  for  the  evil  which 
follows  from  herding  them  indiscriminately  with 
the  novices  in  crime. 

If,  on  examination,  it  is  found  that  it  is  for  the 
best  interests  of  the  Commonwealth  to  enter  on 
the  work  of  classification,  then  it  will  become 
necessary  to  examine  into  our  whole  system  of 
imprisonment,  with  a  view  to  its  improvement. 

There  are  now  fifteen  houses  of  correction 
scattered  through  the  State,  in  which  are  about 
sixteen  hundred  inmates. 

A  large  part  of  these  are  under  sentences  from 
six  months  to  three  years,  for  all  sorts  of  offences, 
from  simple  drunkenness  to  high  crimes  against 
person  and  property.  In  most  of  the  institutions 
these  prisoners  are  employed  by  contractors,  who 


1870.]  SENATE— No.  1.  38 

pay  the  counties  for  their  labor  from  five  to  forty 
cents  per  day.  Of  course  the  cost  of  maintaining 
these  prisoners  is  a  heavy  expense  to  the  counties. 

The  labor  of  those  who  are  sentenced  for  longer 
periods  than  six  months  is  nearly  as  valuable  as 
that  of  the  inmates  of  the  State  Prison,  if  by  any 
arrangement  it  cOuld  be  made  as  available.  The 
reason  why  the  contractor  is  not  willing  to  pay 
more  for  the  labor  of  these  men  is  readily  seen. 
To  make  their  labor  valuable,  workmen  must  be- 
come accustomed  to  the  employments  in  which 
they  are  engaged.  This  cannot  be  done  by 
those  who  are  serving  out  short  sentences,  for 
the  contractor  has  to  pay  the  counties  for  their 
labor,  with  others,  at  the  same  rate. 

Another  serious  difficulty  is  in  the  small  number 
of  prisoners  in  each  of  these  institutions.  If  there 
were  three  or  four  hundred  under  one  management, 
the  cost  of  superintendence  would  be  but  slightly 
increased  over  that  incurred  where  only  fifty  or 
sixty  are  confined.  Those  sentenced  for  long 
periods  would  be  separated  from  those  confined 
for  a  short  time,  and  their  labor  would  be  made 
productive.  All  the  arrangements  for  conducting 
the  prison  in  the  best  manner,  such  as  heating 
ventilating    and    guarding,    would    be    perfected 


84  GOVERNOR'S  ADDRESS.  [Jan. 

Secular,  moral  and  religious  instruction  might  be 
provided  for  the  inmates,  with  much  more  hope 
of  benefiting  them,  than  when  they  were  confined 
in  various  institutions  and  under  as  many  different 
managements. 

Still  further,  in  this  classification,  a  proper  place 
of  confinement  may  be  provided  for  the  several 
hundred  female  prisoners  now  scattered  through 
these  houses  of  correction.  It  must  be  evident 
to  every  one  that  prisons  adapted  to  the  confine- 
ment of  men  should  be  very  different,  in  their 
construction  and  management,  from  those  which 
are  suitable  and  proper  for  women.  Oftentimes 
women  in  a  most  delicate  state  of  health,  and 
even  with  infants  in  their  arms,  are  sentenced 
to  these  houses  of  correction.  Surely  it  is  not 
creditable  to  the  humanity  of  our  State,  nor  to 
its  reputation,  that  no  provision  has  been  made 
earlier,  to  remedy  this  condition  of  our  criminal 
institutions.  This  classification  will  enable  the 
State  to  accomplish  another  reform  which  has 
engaged  the  attention  of  the  friends  of  humanity 
for  a  long  time. 

A  large  number  of  men  are  sent  annually  to 
the  houses  of  correction,  for  limited  periods,  for 
simple    drunkenness.      Xo    other    stain    rests    on 


1870.]  SENATE— No.  1.  36 

their  good  name,  dear  to  them,  and  doubly  dear 
to  their  wives  and  children.  Sent  to  the  same 
prison  with  the  worst  characters,  humiliated  by 
confinement  even,  stung,  oftentime's,  with  remorse, 
these  persons,  many  of  whom  never  dreamed  of 
injuring  their  neighbors,  are  ready  to  receive 
the  malignant  suggestions  of  the  evil  disposed 
and  corrupt,  with  whom  they  are  for  the  first 
time  brought  in  contact.  Our  love  of  mankind 
should  cause  us  to  protest  against  a  system  so 
dangerous  to  all  good  intentions.  These  men 
should  be  placed  where  only  the  best  influences 
prevail,  where  the  spirit  of  reform  is  predominant; 
so  that  when  they  leave  the  institution,  they  may 
feel  that  no  finger  can  point  to  them  as  felons. 
The  last  Legislature  authorized  the  appointment 
of  a  commission  to  consider  the  expediency  of 
establishing  an  asylum  for  inebriates.  The  gentle- 
men composing  that  commission  have  given  much 
attention  to  this  subject,  and  from  them  you  will 
receive  trustworthy  information  and  many  valuable 
suggestions  as  to  the  treatment  of  this  class  of 
persons  who,  under  our  present  system,  are  con- 
fined with  criminals;  which,  to  a  true  sense  of 
justice,  is  a  great  wrong. 


36  GOVERNOR'S  ADDRESS.  [Jan. 

THE    STATE    CHARITIES. 

A  department  of  the  State,  which  needs  the 
constant  care  of  the  Legislature,  is  that  of  the 
State  Charities.  Under  its  supervision  are  all  the 
State  Almshouses,  the  Keform  School  at  "West- 
borough,  the  ]S"autical  School  and  the  Lancaster 
Lidustrial  School;  involving  an  expenditure  annu- 
ally of  nearly  |600,000. 

The  people  of  the  State  are  ever  ready  to  incur 
any  expense  that  necessity  demands,  to  make  most 
ample  provision  for  the  poor  and  dependent  classes. 
But  they  will  insist  that  wise  economy  should  be 
used  in  the  disbursement  of  the  large  sums  neces- 
sary to  carry  out  their  benevolent  intentions.  The 
establishment  of  the  Board  of  Charities  laid  the 
foundation  of  a  system  which,  when  perfected, 
will  be  an  honor  to  the  State  in  its  provident  care 
of  the  unfortunate,  and  at  the  same  time  a  saving 
of  expense  by  its  economical  administration. 
Under  this  system  pauperism  is  steadily  decreas- 
ing; while  those  really  dependent  on  the  public 
for  support  are  having  more  intelligent  and  tender 
care  bestowed  upon  them.  A  great  purpose  of 
the  Board  is  to  take  from  the  careless  and  vicious 
every   inducement  to   throw   the   burden  of  their 


1870.]  SENATE— No.  1.  87 

maintenance  upon  the  public.  The  various  laws 
that  have  been  passed  to  secure  this  object  have 
been  carefully  considered  and  adapted  to  the  con- 
dition of  these  persons. 

The  Board  has  been  successful  in  its  adminis- 
tration, and  the  result  is  that  many  dissolute 
persons  who,  when  out  of  the  public  institutions, 
preyed  upon  ^the  community,  and  when  unable 
longer  to  sustain  themselves  returned  to  them 
periodically,  have  been  greatly  improved  and  are 
now  useful  members  of  society.  For  several 
years  the  Board  has  steadily  pursued  the  policy  of 
placing  the  children  coming  undej'  its  charge,  as 
soon  as  it  is  proper  to  do  so,  in  suitable  families, 
where  they  can  have  parental  care,  and  be  made 
acquainted  with  the  ordinary  duties  of  life.  Ex- 
perience teaches  us  that  the  more  nearly  we  can 
make  the  system  of  State  institutions,  where  the 
young  are  placed,  resemble  that  of  the  family, 
the  more  effective  is  it  in  the  work  of  reforma- 
tion. But  there  is  no  place  so  adapted  to  the 
wants  of  the  young  as  the  family.  Acting  on  this 
policy,  the  State  has  within  a  few  years  placed  in 
families  from  twenty-five  hundred  to  three  thou- 
sand children.  They  are  the  wards  of  the  State, 
and  it  is   her  duty   to   guard   their   interests.     A 


38  '      GOVERNOR'S  ADDRESS.  [Jan. 

proper  supervision  of  this  large  number  of  per- 
sons could  not  be  expected  from  the  trustees  of  the 
several  institutions  by  whose  authority  they  were 
placed  in  these  families.  To  provide  for  a  suit- 
able examination  and  inspection  of  these  children 
at  their  homes,  the  last  Legislature  established, 
under  the  direction  of  the  Board,  a  Yisiting 
Agency. 

The  duties  of  the  Agent  are  to  attend  the  ex- 
amination of  the  children  before  the  magistrates, 
and  if  the  decision  is  that  they  should  be  placed 
in  care  of  the  State,  then,  if  possible,  to  provide 
suitable  places  for  them  before  they  are  sent  to 
the  reformatories;  to  visit,  as  often  as  possible, 
each  child  as  long  as  he  is  the  ward  of  the 
State;  and  if  his  home  is  found  to  be  unsuitable, 
then -to  report  to  the  Board  for  its  action;  also  to 
keep  full  and  accurate  records  of  all  children  in 
the  care  of  the  State,  who  come  under  the  super- 
vision of  the  Board. 

This  plan  has  worked  favorably  although  the 
Agency  has  not  been  in  operation  more  than  six 
months.  Many  of  the  children  placed  under  the 
charge  of  the  State,  go  directly  to  good  homes, 
from  the  magistrates,  without  ever  becoming  a 
public  charge. 


1870.]  SENATE— No.  1.  39 

That  this  system  may  be  fully  carried  out,  addi- 
tional authority  should  be  given  to  the  Agent,  to 
appear  in  behalf  of  the  children  before  all  the 
courts  having  jurisdiction  in  the  cases  of  juvenile 
oflPenders;  and  also  to  defend  the  State  against 
those  parties  who,  from  motives  of  self-interest, 
endeavor,  constantly,  to  throw  the  burden  of  their 
maintenance  upon  the  Commonwealth. 

EMIGRATIOIT. 

All  foreign  passengers  arriving  in  the  State, 
come  under  the  supervision  of  the  Agents  of  the 
Board  of  State  Charities,  to  whom  the  fees  for 
landing  are  paid.  These  fees  amount  to  a  large 
sum  annually,  and  are  likely  to  increase  rather  than 
diminish  hereafter,  as  the  number  of  emigrants 
landing  at  the  port  of  Boston  is  steadily  increasing. 
There  is  no  proper  provision  for  their  comfort  when 
they  arrive,  if,  from  sickness  or  other  causes, 
they  desire  to  remain  a  short  time.  Many  come 
from  the  Continent,  and,  being  unacquainted  with 
our  language,  customs  or  manners  of  life,  they  de- 
sire important  information,  but  know  no  one  that 
can  inform  them.  The  Board  should  have  author- 
ity to  appoint  agents  who  can  speak  the  for- 
eign languages,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  give 


40  GOVERNOR'S  ADDRESS,  [Jan. 

these  persons  all  needed  information,  to  enable 
them  to  go  safely  to  their  places  of  destination,  and 
protect  them  from  the  impositions  of  rapacious  and 
vile  persons  who  are  ever  ready  to  entrap  the  igno- 
rant and  unwary.  Justice,  as  well  as  good  policy, 
demands  that  generous  care  and  attention  should 
be  afforded  these  strangers  coming  to  enjoy  the 
abundant  blessings  of  our  free  land,  to  whose 
advancement  they  will  very  soon  contribute  much 
by  their  faithful  industry. 

GEORGE   PEABODY  AND   JOHI?^   CLARKE. 

I  should  do  injustice  to  my  own  feelings  did 
I  fail,  on  this  occasion,  to  notice  the  noble  and 
philanthropic  spirit  manifested  by  two  of  the 
sons  of  Massachusetts,  who  have  terminated  their 
earthly  courses  within  the  past  year.  Such  exam- 
ples are  truly  our  glory  and  honor. 

George  Peabody  has  been  a  faithful  representa- 
tive of  the  people  of  his  State  and  nation  in  a 
foreign  land.  His  personal  character  and  commer- 
cial success  would  command  respect  anywhere,  but 
the  nobleness  of  his  nature,  which  led  him  to  make 
such  munificent  and  princely  gifts  for  the  benefit 
of  his  fellow-men  in  both  hemispheres,  without 
regard  to  rank  or  color,  has  given  him  world-wide 


1870.]  SENATE— No.  1.  41 

fame,  and  no  title  could  add  lustre  to  his  name. 
His  remains  are  to  rest  in  the  soil  of  his  native 
State,  whose  people  will  ever  honor  him  as  the 
benefactor  of  his  race.  His  influence  survives 
him  in  the  noble  institutions  which  he  founded,  and 
generations  yet  unborn  will  bless  his  name  and 
revere  his  memory. 

"While  paying  the  tribute  justly  due  our  distin- 
guished countryman,  I  would  also  allude  to  an- 
other untitled  fellow-citizen,  who  will  be  remem- 
bered with  ever-increasing  respect  for  his  generous 
gifts  to  a  most  humane  and  beneficent  charity, — 
the  late  John  Clarke,  of  iNTorthampton.  His  dona- 
tion of  fifty  thousand  dollars  in  1867  founded  the 
School  for  Deaf  Mutes  at  ISTorthampton,  which  my 
honored  predecessor,  in  his  annual  message  of 
1868,  referred  to  as  being,  up  to  that  time,  the 
largest  gift  that  the  State  had  ever  received  for 
any  similar  purpose.  He  has  added  by  will,  to 
this  amount,  two  hundred  thousand  dollars  in 
gold,  which  will  place  this  young  and  success- 
ful institution  on  a  sound  basis — an  enduring 
monument  of  the  broad  views  and  generous  pur- 
poses of  this  quiet,  yet  far-seeing  man.  Here 
Massachusetts  may  give  voice  to  her  hitherto  silent 
children;    here,  especially,  this   unfortunate  class 


42  GOVERNOR'S  ADDRESS.  [Jan. 

may  enjoy  the  advantages  of  those  methods  of 
instruction  now  being  successfully  developed,  and 
which  are  so  interesting  to  all  instructors  of  deaf 
mutes. 

Both  of  these  noble  men  furnish  examples  of 
the  wisdom  of  beginning,  in  life,  the  work  of  char- 
ity which,  too  often,  is  left  wholly  to  others,  who, 
perhaps,  do  not  partake  of  the  spirit  of  the  donors. 

THE    MILITIA. 

In  company  with  the  members  of  my  staff,  gen- 
tlemen who  are  familiar  with  the  details  of  military 
duty,  from  long  and  honorable  service  in  the  war,  I 
visited  the  several  encampments  of  the  militia  in 
the  autumn. 

It  was  the  universal  testimony  that  the  troops 
were  never  in  better  condition  or  made  a  more 
soldierly  appearance  on  review.  Their  discipline 
and  order  while  in*  camp  were  highly  creditable 
to  them  and  honorable  to  the  State,  and  there  was 
no  complaint  of  any  irregularity  outside  the  lines, 
with  a  single  exception,  which  I  am  sure  will  not 
be  repeated.  After  much  discussion  and  careful 
inquiry,  the  last  Legislature  passed  a  law  permit- 
ting each  regiment  to  adopt  such  uniforms  as  best 
suited    their    taste    and    convenience.     This   has 


1870.]  SENATE— No.  1.  48 

proved  very  satisfactor}'^  to  the  militia,  and  most 
of  the  regiments  appeared  in  new  uniforms,  which 
were  tasteful  and  appropriate. 

Nearly  one-half  of  the  troops  have  served  in  the 
Avar.  Their  presence  gives  efficiency  and  precision 
to  the  force  when  on  drill,  and  I  cannot  too  highly 
commend  the  spirit  of  patriotism  which  induces 
these  veterans  to  fill  the  ranks  of  our  militia  and 
to  bear  their  share  of  the  heavy  expense  which, 
notwithstanding  the  amount  allowed  by  the  State, 
all  are  obliged  to  incur  who  enlist  in  our  volunteer 
militia. 

There  are  now  ninety-five  companies  of  infantry, 
six  of  cavalry,  and  five  batteries  of  artillery,  fully 
equipped  and  ready  for  active  duty. 

Recognizing  the  important  and  honorable  ser- 
vice rendered  by  the  militia  at  the  breaking  out  of 
the  rebellion,  and  feeling,  as  I  do  most  sincerely, 
that  nothing  should  be  done  t<3  weaken  the  attitude 
of  the  State,  when  compared  with  its  former  posi- 
tion, still  it  seems  possible  to  reduce  the  force 
without  seriously  impairing  its  efficiency.  To 
human  eye  there  would  seem  to  be  no  possible 
necessity  for  the  active  services  of  any  large  num- 
ber of  men,  yet  warned  by  the  past,  we  should  be 


44  GOVERNOR'S  ADDRESS.  [Jan. 

unfaithful  to  our  trusts,  if  the  State  failed  to  be 
prepared  for  any  and  every  emergency. 

Our  State  taxes  which  were  trifling  comparatively 
before  the  war,  are  now  heavy,  and  they  will  con- 
tinue to  be  burdensome  for  a  long  time. 

It  should  be  the  endeavor  of  all  having  the  care 
of  public  affairs  to  reduce  the  expenses  so  far  as  it 
can  be  done  without  injury  to  the  public  service. 

JiTo  one  department  can  be  greatly  reduced  with- 
out serious  detriment;  but  by  making  a  moderate 
reduction  in  several  the  aggregate  saving  will  be 
large  to  the  treasury. 

After  careful  investigation  and  consultation 
with  the  Adjutant-General,  whose  large  experi- 
ence and  sound  judgment  render  his  views  in  such 
matters  worthy  of  high  consideration,  I  am  of  the 
opinion  that  the  appropriation  foa-  the  support  of 
the  militia  may  be  lessened  nearly  thirty  thousand 
dollars,  and  leave  the  force  in  as  fine  condition  in 
in  every  respect,  with  the  exception  that  the  num- 
ber of  men  attending  the  fall  encampments  will  not 
be  as  large  by  about  one  thousand.  The  number 
of  men  entitled  to  compensation  would  then  be 
nearly  five  thousand.  This  will  leave  the  force  as 
large  as  it  was  before  the  war;  and  there  would 


1870.]  SENATE— No.  1.  45 

seem  to  be  no  necessity  for  an  increase   at  this 
time. 

The  Adjutant- General  has  reduced  the  expenses 
of  his  department  as  far  as  it  is  possible  until  the 
record  of  the  soldiers  who  served  in  the  war  is 
completed,  which  there  is  every  reason  to  expect 
will  be  accomplished  by  the  first  of  July  next. 

AID   FOE   THE    SOLDIERS    OF    THE   WAR. 

The  Act  providing  "  State  aid  for  our  disabled 
soldiers  and  sailors,  and  their  families,  and  the 
families  of  the  slain,"  expires  on  the  first  day  of 
January  next.  If  this  Act  is  renewed  this  session, 
it  will  save  those  embraced  in  its  provisions  from 
want  and  suffering  next  winter;  for,  unless  this 
should  be  done,  relief,  in  the  common  course  of 
legislation,  would^not  reach  them  until  the  season 
in  which  they  most  need  help,  has  passed  aw^ay. 
Some  modifications  of  the  Act  may  be  made,  by 
which  the  appropriation  to  carry  out  its  provisions 
may  be  lessened  considerably,  without  doing  in- 
justice to  any  one.  Under  the  law  now  in  opera- 
tion the  Commonwealth  has  disbursed  to  the 
soldiers  of  the  war,  and  their  families,  more  than 
six  hundred  thousand  dollars  annually. 

It  cannot  be  necessary  to  urge  this  claim.     Its 


46  GOVERNOR'S  ADDRESS.  [Jan. 

appeal  is  to  every  sentiment  of  justice,  of  gratitude, 
and  even  to  public  policy.  We  should  keep  in  re- 
membrance the  hour  of  our  great  peril,  when  these 
men  and  their  families  made  their  costly  contribu- 
tions to  save  the  nation's  imperiled  life.  'Now  it  is 
our  duty  and  our  privilege,  to  make  them  the  poor 
return  of  shielding  them  and  their  dependent  rela- 
tives from  absolute  want.  Remember  that  war  is 
still  a  possibility,  and  any  neglect  shown  those 
engaged  in  the  last  conflict  would  immeasurably 
increase  the  difficulty  of  filling  our  ranks  in  the 
future. 

IN^otwithstanding  the  time  that  has  elapsed  since 
the  close  of  the  war,  the  work  of  the  Surgeon-Gen- 
eral's Department  is  still  large,  and  it  must  continue 
to  be  so  for  some  time  to  come,  if  we  continue 
to  aid  our  soldiers  in  obtaining  their  pensions,  and 
if  we  attend  to  the  numerous  calls  for  the  aid 
which  they  have  received  hitherto.  The  cost  of 
this  bears  no  comparison  to  the  great  benefits  it 
confers"  on  these  veterans,  and  I  have  no  hesitation 
in  recommending  its  continuance. 

I  ask  your  attention  to  the  reports  of  General 
Dale  and  Colonel  Tufts,  whose  earnest  devotion  to 
the  welfare  of  the  soldiers  and  those  for  whom  this 
department  was  established  is  well  known  to  all. 


1870.]  SENATE— No.  1.  47 

INTOXrOATrN-G     LIQUORS. 

The  Act  concerning  the  manufacture  and  sale 
of  intoxicating  liquors  has  now  been  in  force  for 
six  months.  Within  this  short  period  much  has 
been  done  to  stop  the  general  sale  of  liquors;  a 
large  number  of  those  who  were  selling  under 
former  laws  having  abandoned  the  open  traffic, 
and  many  having  ceased  to  sell  altogether.  The 
law  has  secured  the  acquiescence  of  the  people 
generally,  and  there  has  been  very  little  opposition 
in  its  execution  so  far  as  it  closes  the  tippling 
shops.  It  aj^pears,  also,  to  have  diminished 
another  evil — the  sale  in  small  quantities  to  be 
used  in  families,  where  the  inevitable  result  has 
always  been  to  produce  misery  and  crime. 

The  people  of  the  State  will  not  submit  patiently 
to  the  restoration  of  the  open  bar,  that  relic  of  a 
less  enlightened  period,  which  has  wrought  the 
ruin  of  so  many  families,  and  brought  to  untimely 
graves  thousands  of  the  noblest  and  most  generous 
spirits  of  the  land.  It  is  manifestly  no  longer  in 
accordance  with  their  character  or  wishes.  There 
is  indeed  a  wonderful  change  in  the  ideas  and  hab- 
its of  the  community,  resulting  from  the  general 
diffusion    of   intelligence,   the    discussion   of   the 


48  GOVERNOR'S  ADDRESS.  [Jan. 

use  of  intoxicating  beverages,  and  the  restraining 
influences  of  law.  Every  philanthropist  should  be 
encouraged  to  continue  his  labors  when  he  sees 
such  progress  in  public  sentiment  made  in  a  sin- 
gle generation,  in  a  matter  so  directly  affecting 
the  personal  habits  and  social  customs  of  the  peo- 
ple. While  the  law,  so  far  as  it  aimed  to  suppress 
common  tippling,  has  thus  been  accepted,  it  has 
undeniably  met  with  much  opposition  in  other 
particulars.  The  discussion  of  the  whole  sub- 
ject has  been  earnest;  and  to  some  extent  already 
assumed  the  form  of  political  action.  Coming 
directly  from  the  people,  you  can  now  under- 
stand fully  the  objections  to  the  law,  and  the 
remedies  necessary  to  remove  them.  As  wise  men, 
desiring  the  best  interests  of  the  State,  and  believ- 
ing that  its  future  greatness  depends  on  the  so- 
briety, intelligence  and  morality  of  its  people,  you 
will  carefully  inquire  what  measures  are  calculated 
to  make  the  law  satisfactory  to  all  who  really  desire 
the  best  interests  of  society.  All  laws  of  any 
value  must  have  at  least  the  assent  of  the  public, 
if  not  their  earnest  support.  After  so  much 
thorough  discussion,  and  with  our  present  ex- 
perience, it  would  seem  to  be  possible,  though 
difficult,  for  the  Legislature  to  make  such  enact- 


1870.]  SENATE— No.  1.  49 

ments  on  this  subject  as  will  be  in  accordance  with 
the  spirit  of  the  age;  and  will,  in  their  adminis- 
tration, secure  the  cordial  concurrence  and  cooper- 
ation of  the  community. 

It  should  be  regarded,  gentlemen,  as  a  privilege 
to  be  accepted  willingly,  that  you  have  the  oppor- 
tunity to  settle  for  the  present,  so  far  as  legislation 
may,  this  great  question.  For  the  completion  of 
this  most  desirable  reformation,  we  must  rely  upon 
enlightened  personal  experience,  and  on  the  grow- 
ing conviction  that  a  custom  from  which  so  much 
evil  comes,  and  which  yields  no  good  results, 
should  be  abandoned  by  all,  and  especially  by 
those   who   hold  positions   of  honor  or  influence. 

From  Colonel  Brodhead,  the  State  Agent,  I 
learn  that  the  authorities  of  the  cities  and  large 
towns  do  not  comply  with  the  law  in  regard  to  the 
appointment  of  agents,  with  authority  to  sell  spir- 
ituous and  intoxicating  liquors  for  medicinal  and 
mechanical  purposes.  As  this  provision  of  the  law 
now  stands,  it  is  entirely  inadequate  for  this  pur- 
pose, so  far  as  it  applies  to  these  communities.  If 
the  public  are  to  rely  on  the  agencies  for  their 
supplies,  some  further  provision  must  be  made  in 
order  to  meet  this  necessity. 

I  shall  take  the  opportunity,  at  an  early  day,  to 


50  GOVERNOR'S  ADDRESS.  [Jun. 

lay  before  you  the  rejoort  of  Major  E.  J.  Jones, 
Constable  of  the  Commonwealth,  (a  most  faithful 
oflBlcer,)  detailing  the  operations  of  his  force  dur- 
ing the  past  year.  This  organization  never  stood 
higher  in  the  public  estimation,  and  a  careful  ex- 
amination of  the  report  will  show  that  they  have 
performed  a  great  amount  of  difficult  service,  in 
a  manner  that  should  merit  general  approbation. 

AGRICULTURAL   MATTERS. 

The  season  has  been  one  of  more  than  usual 
prosperity  to  the  agricultural  interest  of  the  State, 
with  some  local  exceptions  arising  from  the  gales 
and  floods  of  the  autumn.  There  has  been  for 
some  years  a  growing  conviction  in  the  minds 
of  the  farming  community  that  labor  on  the  farm 
is  less  remunerative  than  labor  in  mechanical  and 
other  pursuits;  that  the  same  skill  and  intelligence 
applied  to  other  kinds  of  business  are  sure  to  be 
rewarded  with  better  results;  that  the  farmer  does 
not  and  cannot  receive,  under  our  present  market 
system,  his  fair  proportion  of  what  the  consumer 
has  to  pay  for  the  products  of  the  farm.  Whether 
this  conviction  is  well  founded  or  not,  it  has  exer- 
cised a  powerful  influence  in  leading  young  men 
to  leave   the    farm;   causing  not   only   a  notable 


1870.]  SENATE— No.  1.  61 

reduction  in  the  population  of  our  strictly  rural 
towns,  but  also  a  depreciation  of  real  estate  in 
them.  The  markets  of  our  principal  cities  be- 
ing subject  to  municipal  regulations,  the  freedom 
of  such  markets  and  of  more  direct  trade  and 
intercourse  between  the  producer  and  the  con- 
sumer may.  not  come  within  the  range  of  legisla- 
tive control,  but  it  is  a  legitimate  subject  of  in- 
quiry whether  this  most  grievous  obstacle  to  a 
greater  agricultural  prosperity  can  in  any  way  be 
removed  by  legal  enactment. 

The  system,  adopted  by  the  State,  of  encourag- 
ing the  development  of  Agriculture  through  boun- 
ties to  the  agricultural  societies,  has,  undoubtedly, 
accomplished  much  good,  though  the  plan  of  per- 
manent location  which  so  generally  prevails,  has 
centralized  and  circumscribed  the  influence  of  the 
societies,  now  multiplied  to  the  number  of  thirty; 
or  more  than  two  to  each  county.  It  may  well 
be  doubted  if  the  interests  of  the  Common- 
wealth will  be  promoted  proportionally  to  the 
additional  draft  upon*  the  treasury,  by  any  in- 
crease of  this  number;  and  whether  securing  a 
more  efficient  and  proper  management  of  those 
already  existing  would  not  benefit  the  farming 
community  more  than  any  farther  increase. 


62  GOVERNOR'S  ADDRESS.  [Jan. 

An  appropriation  was  made  by  the  last  Legis- 
lature, of  four  hundred  dollars,  to  be  expended 
by  the  Board  of  Agriculture,  in  premiums  for 
the  best  treatises  on  the  science  of  road-making. 
At  present  there  is  among  us  no  general  system 
of  laying  out  and  constructing  common  roads;  and 
the  consequence  is,  that  in  most  of  our  towns  the 
streets  and  roads  are  narrow,  circuitous  and  badly 
graded  and  drained.  Among  the  outward  indica- 
tions of  advancing  civilization,  good  roads  hold  a 
prominent  place.  Nothing  gives  a  town  or  village 
a  more  attractive  appearance  than  wide  highways 
and  streets,  well  laid  out  and  graded;  and  few 
things  contribute  more  to  the  convenience  and 
comfort  of  the  people.  I  recommend  a  reconsider- 
ation of  this  subject,  which  is  of  increasing  interest 
to  all  our  thriving  towns  and  villages. 

THE   LABOR    QUESTION. 

The  condition  of  labor  demands  our  earnest 
attention.  The  skill  and  energy  which  pro- 
duce the  material  results  which  we  witness  every- 
where should  not  be  overlooked  or  forgotten. 
Though  favorably  located  for  commerce  and  man- 
ufactures, our  position  would  be  valueless  but  for 
the   untiring  industry  which  makes  use  of  these 


1870.]  SENATE— No.  1.  5$ 

opportunities.  Our  future  success  in  manufactur- 
ing depends  upon  the  intelligence  and  faithfulness 
of  our  laborers. 

Public  policy,  then,  would  justify  special  care  of 
all  their  interests  on  the  part  of  the  Legislature. 
Accordingly,  commissioners  have  examined  the 
subject,  and  from  their  reports  and  suggestions 
have  resulted  laws  intended  for  their  benefit.  It 
is  to  be  hoped  that  whatever  suggestions  or  re- 
quests may  be  made  to  you  by  this  large  class  of 
our  fellow-citizens,  coming  within  the  legitimate 
scope  of  legislation,  may  receive  most  careful  and 
cordial  consideration. 

ES^DIANS   or   THE    COMMONWEALTH. 

By  the  Act  of  the  last  Legislature,  entitled  "  An 
Act  to-  Enfranchise  the  Indians  of  the  Common- 
wealth," that  class  of  persons,  held  since  the  land- 
ing of  the  Pilgrims  under  political  and  civil  disa- 
bilities, is  endowed  with  equal  civil  rights,  and 
henceforth  every  inhabitant  of  the  Commonwealth, 
without  distinction  of  race  or  color,  is  equal  before 
the  law.  Until  the  passage  of  that  Act  the  In- 
dians of  the  Commonwealth,  and  people  of  color 
residing  on  Indian  lands,  though  recipients  of  the 
liberal   charities  of  the  Commonwealth,  were   the 


54  GOVERNOR'S  ADDRESS.  [Jan. 

subjects  of  unjust  civil  and  political  proscriptions. 
And  it  is  only  at  this  late  day  that  Massachusetts 
recognized  citizenship,  not  guardianship,  to  be 
the  right  of  every  person,  and  the  surest  means 
of  elevation  and  improvement,  and  of  jDrepara- 
tion  for  their  future  duties.  Justice,  so  long 
delayed,  is  at  length  yielded  to  the  Massachusetts 
Indian.  Let  us  hope  that  justice,  not  charity, 
citizenship,  not  guardianship,  will  as  soon  as 
possible  be  conceded  to  the  American  Indian, 
and  may  the  last  relics  of  the  prejudice  and  pro- 
scription, which  have  so  long  retarded  the  progress 
of  these  unfortunate  people,  be  speedily  removed. 

All  the  Indians  of  the  Commonwealth  now  enjoy 
full  civil  rights,  and  all  except  those  of  Marshpee 
and  Gay  Head  are  endowed  with  full  political 
rights.  The  Act  before  referred  to  left  those  tribes 
under  the  political  disabilities  previously  existing. 

It  is  desirable  for  the  good  fame  of  the  Com- 
monwealth, and  due  to  the  Indians  themselves, 
that  these  disabilities  should  be  removed.  The 
principal  reason  for  not  recognizing  the  full  politi- 
cal rights  of  these  tribes  seems  to  have  been  a  dif- 
ference of  opinion  upon  the  question  whether  they 
should  be  made  separate  towns  or  whether  they 
should  be  annexed  to  adjacent  towns.     In  regard 


18T0.]  SENATE— No.  1.  66 

to  other  Indians,  scattered  in  small  numbers  in  dif- 
ferent localities,  this  question  was  easy  of  adjust- 
ment. But  these  two  tribes,  having  each  a  larger 
population  than  any  other,  might,  it  was  thought, 
be  made  separate  municipalities. 

The  number  of  the  Marshpee  tribe,  actually  re- 
siding on  the  territory,  is  about  three  hundred;  that 
of  the  Gay  Head  tribe  is  about  one  hundred  and 
seventy.  The  policy  of  creating  new  towns,  with 
so  small  a  population,  is  at  least  doubtful,  and  this 
doubt  is  increased  when  we  consider  the  burden 
which  the  cost  of  maintaining  a  town  organization 
would  lay  upon  so  small  a  population,  especially  of 
the  character  of  these  people. 

The  i^eninsular  condition  of  Gay  Head  seemed 
to  make  annexation  to  the  adjoining  town  of 
Chilmark  a  matter  of  greater  difficulty  than  in  the 
case  of  Marshpee.  Bat  in  both  cases  it  may  be 
worthy  of  the  consideration  of  the  Legislature 
whether  it  will  not  be  better  to  leave  them  as  they 
are,  until  the  prejudice  against  color,  born  of 
slavery,  and  now  rapidly  disappearing,  shall  no 
longer  be  an  obstacle  to  the  incorporation  of  these 
people  with  the  adjoining  towns. 


56  GOVERNOR'S  ADDRESS.  [Jan. 

COMMERCIAL   APFAIES. 

Our  commerce,  so  essential  to  the  prosperity  of 
the  State,  and  the  honor,  and  even  safety  of  the 
nation,  is  still  depressed,  notwithstanding  the  per- 
sistent energy  of  those  engaged  in  this  noble  pur- 
suit. "With  deep  satisfaction,  therefore,  we  perceive 
the  indications  that  the  nation  is  awaking  to  some 
proper  appi-eciation  of  our  condition  as  a  commer- 
cial people.  It  is  obvious  to  all  that  we  are  not 
fostering  that  great  branch  of  national  industry, 
the  construction  of  a  commercial  marine,  from 
which,  in  war,  the  nation  has  received  such  ready 
and  powerful  assistance  on  the  ocean. 

It  is  gratifying  to  see  that  Congress  has  ap- 
pointed a  committee  to  inquire  into  the  causes  of 
the  present  condition  of  this  great  interest;  and 
how  it  has  come  to  pass  that  the  American  flag 
has  been  almost  driven  from  the  sea;  so  that  not 
an  ocean  steamer  floats  it,  and  foreign  standards 
are  borne  from  our  ports  by  a  large  proportion  of 
other  sea-going  vessels.  From  the  earnest  and 
faithful  labors  of  this  committee,  and  the  fact  that 
the  President  and  two  Heads  of  Departments 
have  made  express  reference  oflicially  to  this  sub- 
ject, we  may  expect  early  and  favorable  legislation 


1870.]  SENATE— No.  1.  67 

in  its  behalf;  in  which  not  only  the  seaboard  States 
but  the  whole  country  is  deeply  concerned.  The 
idea  cannot  too  soon  be  abandoned  by  this  nation, 
that  the  general  government  ought  not  to  foster 
the  commercial  marine,  because  it  is  a  local  and 
limited  interest.  On  the  contrary,  there  is  no  one 
department  of  industry  more  completely  national. 

It  does  concern  not  only  the  people  of  the 
Atlantic  States,  but  also  every  farmer  of  the 
Western  prairie,  and  every  other  American  citizen, 
that  there  be  a  commercial  marine — a  training- 
school  for  our  brave  seamen,  who  help  to  sus- 
tain the  nation's  honor  and  life  in  time  of  war. 
For,  our  entire  history  has  shewed  us  that  the 
legitimate,  the  economical  school  of  the  navy  is 
the   peaceful  commercial  ship. 

The  true  policy  would  be,  to  expend  some  small 
portion  of  the  large  sum  annually  devoted  to  sup- 
port the  navy,  in  encouraging  an  interest  which,  in 
time  of  war,  will  furnish  the  seamen  who  are  to 
man  its  vessels,  and  without  whose  aid  they  must 
remain  idle  in  their  docks.  This  topic  is  com- 
mended to  your  attention,  that  you  may  take 
such  action  as  shall  seem  to  you  expedient. 


58  GOVERNOR'S  ADDRESS.  [Jan. 

NATIOI^AL   AFFAIRS. 

We  cannot  forget  that  we  belong  to  this  great 
Union,  made  indissoluble  by  the  events  of  the  late 
war.  The  struggle  for  national  existence  has  re- 
vealed to  us  our  strength  and  the  chief  cause  of 
our  weakness.  This  cause  has  been  removed,  and 
no  interest  at  war  with  human  liberty  now  predomi- 
nates in  our  land. 

The  throes  of  the  mighty  contest  are  still  felt, 
but  each  day  lessens  their  force,  and  soon  they 
will  have  passed  away  forever. 

The  election  of  the  Great  Captain  to  the  Presi- 
dency at  once  gave  assurance  of  peace  to  the  coun- 
try. The  hopes  of  the  firmest  friends  of  the  in- 
coming administration  have  been  more  than 
realized.  The  laws,  so  far  as  the  General  Govern- 
ment is  concerned,  are  enforced;  integrity  prevails 
in  all  its  departments,  and  the  steady  decrease  of 
the  national  debt  gives  assurance  of  its  ultimate 
redemption. 

The  final  act,  the  Fifi:eenth  Amendment  to  the 
Constitution,  which  will  place  all  the  people  of 
this  nation  on  an  equality,  politically,  is  nearly  con- 
summated. Its  completion  will  add  lusti'e  to  our 
name,  by  proclaiming  to  the  world  that  no  prej- 


1870.]  SENATE— No.  1.  59 

udice  of  race  will  prevent  justice  being  done  and 
equal  rights  accorded  to  the  most  oppressed  and 
obscure  in  the  land.  It  will  give  to  the  freed- 
man  the  ballot,  the  only  power  that  will  effectually 
save  him  from  abuse  and  wrong,  and  all  laws 
affecting  personal  liberty  and  political  rights  will 
be  substantially  the  same  in  every  part  of  the 
Union. 

Slowl}'^  but  surely  the  great  problem  of  the  de- 
struction of  slavery  is  being  demonstrated.  From 
its  ashes  will  arise  a  nobler  civilization  than  has 
hitherto  been  known  in  human  history.  The  peo- 
ple of  the  Old  World,  in  their  attempts  to  wrest 
from  the  hands  of  tyrants  the  liberties  so  long 
withheld,  and  for  which  they  have  sacrificed  so 
much,  are  receiving  from  our  history  fresh  impulse 
and  new  encouragement.  Let  us  as  a  people  do 
our  part  in  bringing  in  the  better  and  brighter  day. 

LENGTH   OP   SESSIONS. 

Before  I  close  you  will  permit  me  to  bring  to 
your  attention  the  importance  of  using  every  effort 
to  shorten  our  legislative  sessions. 

The  people  of  the  Commonwealth  are  manifest- 
ing increasing  discontent  at  what  they  regard 
an    unnecessary    delay    of   the    public    business. 


60  GOVERNOR'S  ADDRESS.  [Jan. 

That  one-half  the  year  should  be  devoted  to  the 
enactment  of  laws,  in  an  old  and  settled  community, 
with  so  full  a  code  of  general  laws,  to  them  seems 
unjustifiable.  Every  one  acquainted  with  public 
affairs,  knows  that  there  is  an  evil  attendant  on 
long  sessions,  aside  from  the  heavy  expense 
incurred. 

Business  matters  affected  by  legislation  cannot 
be  arranged  satisfactorily  while  there  is  an  uncer- 
tainty as  to  the  law  regulating  them.  It  were  bet- 
ter, oftentimes,  to  endure  a  slight  inconvenience 
from  some  real  or  supposed  defect  in  a  law, 
than  to  have  it  changed  every  year.  It  is  obvious 
that  general  laws,  affecting  particular  interests, 
should  be  enacted,  so  far  as  possible,  that  all  alike 
may  share  the  benefits  and  bear  the  obligations 
imposed. 

A  close  adherence  to  this  course,  with  earnest' 
application  at  the  beginning  of  the  session,  will 
enable  you  to  bring  your  labors  to  an  early  close, 
for  which  you  will,  undoubtedly,  receive  the  cordial 
commendation  of  your  constituents. 

It  will  be  my  pleasure  to  concur  in  all  measures 
tending  to  this  result,  as  well  as  every  other  that 
is  likely  to  promote  the  best  interests  of  the  Com- 
monwealth. 


1870.]  SENATE— No.  1.  61 

Senators  and  Representatives: — 

Most  of  the  subjects  now  laid  before  yon,  re- 
late especially  to  our  own  Commonwealth.  They 
vitally  aifect  her  future  well-being — socially,  mor- 
ally and  materially.  Your  action  may  stimulate 
the  people  to  higher  aims  and  nobler  purposes, 
or  it  may  retard  their  best  efforts  to  elevate  their 
own  character  and  to  sustain  the  honor  of  the 
State.  Kever  in  her  history  did  Massachusetts 
have  more  occasion  to  be  proud  of  her  standing  in 
the  nation.  Her  sons,  however  widely  scattered, 
turn  to  her  with  affection,  recognizing  that,  in  her 
laws,  customs  and  institutions,  the  best  instincts 
and  highest  hopes  of  her  children  are  always  cul- 
tivated and  encouraged. 

As  far  as  possible  let  your  legislation  be  such  as 
to  keep  them  here  to  enjoy  the  fruits  of  their 
fathers'  labors,  not  so  much  in  the  wealth  which 
may  descend  to  them,  as  in  the  means  of  happiness 
which  are  open  to  every  one,  in  the  broad  and  lib- 
eral culture  which  surrounds  them,  and  the  incen- 
tives which  induce  to  a  preparation  for  that  higher 
life  which  should  be  the  hope  and  expectation  of 
us  all. 


UCSB    LIBKftKl 


